Listen to the words....

September 13, 2005 10:50 AM

Words I was sure I would never hear
posted by x_3mta3 (137 comments total)

Here's a (somewhat) better link.
posted by secret about box at 10:52 AM on September 13, 2005

This is my first post on here. I know it's a bit newsfiltery, but who honestly thought those words would ever come out of his mouth?
posted by x_3mta3 at 10:52 AM on September 13, 2005

What the hell?
posted by tula at 10:52 AM on September 13, 2005

Well, he says it but...
posted by PurplePorpoise at 10:53 AM on September 13, 2005

In some ways, it's like the perfect political brushstroke for him. He says that he takes responsibility, therefore taking the heat of everyone else within the administration (thus avoiding any more cuts within his crony system of government).

At the same time, a bunch of people who watch him say it (in his thursday night speech, I presume), will say, "Our president is taking responsibility. He's a go getter. He's a fine leader. He's getting things done and taking charge."

And then in a couple months the *cough* *cough* non-partisan committee (much like the 9/11 commission) will find that some mistakes had been made, but nobody ultimately is responsible.

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people are still totally screwed.

I guess that's about par for the course at this point.
posted by almostcool at 10:57 AM on September 13, 2005

What does that mean, exactly? Is he going to resign?

Wow that gave me the chills. Cheney in charge, goddamn.
posted by Talanvor at 10:58 AM on September 13, 2005

"To the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility..."

The statement is still pretty soft. I'm sure it's been tailored, complete with a follow-up campaign with photo ops, to deflect any real responsibility and to help raise approval ratings.

Not surprisingly, Fox News doesn't even have any mention of it on their front page - it's all Roberts, all the time.
posted by NationalKato at 11:00 AM on September 13, 2005

Reagan perfected this technique -- just say "responsibility rests at the highest levels of government," then don't change a damn thing.
posted by alumshubby at 11:00 AM on September 13, 2005

Uh oh. Perhaps he is getting a clue. Please keep up with the denials and the partisan spin GW so that we can turn out the maximum number of Republicans come the next election. All this admitting fault, and even perhaps showing humility and a willingness to work toward a real change might ruin that. The world loves the humble repenter.
posted by caddis at 11:00 AM on September 13, 2005

"to the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility. which is fine because we all know that it's the state and city that screwed up anyway. Hey, look over there! Submerged buses!"

any want to start a pool on how much blame will fall on the governor and mayor as part of the investigation?
posted by bl1nk at 11:01 AM on September 13, 2005

It's on foxnews.com now.
posted by jikel_morten at 11:01 AM on September 13, 2005

It does seem surprising on the face of it, but seems like a politically easy statement to make, and with his approval where it is, why not?
posted by OmieWise at 11:02 AM on September 13, 2005

Yeah, "to the extent...". Nice qualification. What about "we are sorry we screwed up" or something non-weaselly?
posted by gaspode at 11:02 AM on September 13, 2005

Taking responsibilty means taking action. Words are cheap.
posted by 2sheets at 11:02 AM on September 13, 2005

Yeah, it's certainly a weird feeling. This is a guy who dodges and dodges and dodges, and all of a sudden he's taking responsibility. Craziness hopefully this will at least mean he won't fight an independent (non-partisan) inquiry into this like the 9/11 commission. And it shows that he's at least now paying some attention to what's going on.

Ideally he'll resign.

WORST PREZIDNENT EVAR.
posted by delmoi at 11:03 AM on September 13, 2005

Fox News headline is somewhat less powerful, 'natch:

'Bush Takes Responsibility for Some Katrina Failures'
posted by NationalKato at 11:03 AM on September 13, 2005

It's the old Ronnie Reagan gambit. The Great Prevaricator "took responsibility" for all sorts of shit during the two terms the benighted American electorate gave him. Were any concrete, punitive measures that might actually have negatively affected Ronbo, his career, or administration ever implemented? Short answer: no. Longer answer: hell no.
posted by the sobsister at 11:06 AM on September 13, 2005

"To the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility,"

Great, welcome to the reality based community.
posted by R. Mutt at 11:06 AM on September 13, 2005

Cheney in Charge. heh.

New boy in the neighborhood
Lives downstairs and it is understood.
He’s there just to take good care of me,
Like he’s one of the family.

Cheney in Charge
Of our days and our nights
Cheney in Charge
Of our wrongs and our rights
posted by hellbient at 11:11 AM on September 13, 2005

Talk is cheap.
posted by 327.ca at 11:12 AM on September 13, 2005

Hi ho, Kermit the Frog here with fast Breaking News, reporting to you live from the 9th level of Hell itself! I must first say that though things down here are a bit confused and chaotic at the moment, there is one very important thing to report.

It's very, very cold down here. Freezing, you could say. Hold on, I'm just now getting a report from my field associate Gonzo. What's that Gonzo? You're kidding! Are you sure?

Well, it's official. Satan just rode by on his way to work driving a Zamboni. Back to you in the studio, Fozzie. Tell Miss Piggy I love her, and wish me luck getting the heck out of here.
posted by loquacious at 11:12 AM on September 13, 2005

He's not really taking responsibility, he would have resigned if he did. He says he wants to know what went wrong, he didn't admit to not taking Katrina seriously enough, which we know he didn't. Sounds to me as if he's still scapegoating.
posted by piscatorius at 11:13 AM on September 13, 2005

to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do it's job right, I take responsibility

Kinda reminds me of the classic non-apology: "I'm sorry if you think I offended you." Lip service.
posted by scratch at 11:14 AM on September 13, 2005

He's really not admitting anything, nor taking responsibility for anything--he's still not admitting that the Federal Government screwed up bigtime. It is historic, but the fact that he had to qualify it that way means that he still doesn't get it at all. I smell Karen Hughes in this.

And he lies to us continually, so there's no reason to believe even this little nothing.
posted by amberglow at 11:15 AM on September 13, 2005

So, what sort of painkillers is Rove taking for those kidney problems?
posted by Western Infidels at 11:16 AM on September 13, 2005

So, by his accepting responsibility for the the clusterf*ck that is the NOLA relief effort, is he also accepting responsibility for the deaths that his buddy Mike Brown's negligence caused?

Because then they should both be prosecuted.

Real acceptance of the responsibility would mean really accepting the consequence of the government's inaction after the hurricane passed through.
posted by fenriq at 11:17 AM on September 13, 2005

So I assume that his thursday night speech will include something about needing to spend more time with his family?
posted by R. Mutt at 11:18 AM on September 13, 2005

any want to start a pool on how much blame will fall on the governor and mayor as part of the investigation?

I'd say most of it, which is probably where it belongs.

Newsflash Government, at all levels, is terribly inefficient and basically sucky. Why anyone expects FEMA to provide better service than the DMV, the USPS or the IRS is beyond me. It's not a coincidence the Red Cross is running circles around local, state and federal government on this one.
posted by b_thinky at 11:19 AM on September 13, 2005

Words you won't likely hear: Great post.

That aside, this is a pretty weak statement of responsibility. He still talks like an outsider rather than someone whose appointments and policy had a direct, real impact on people's lives.
posted by mazola at 11:21 AM on September 13, 2005

wow... just wow. Of course its always a ship too late to save a drowning witch with these folks. I'll believe it when I see it.
posted by svenvog at 11:22 AM on September 13, 2005

to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do it's job right, I take responsibility


While unprecedented for this administration, this still strikes me as a phony claim of responsibility. Actions speak louder than words. More specifically, if he allows a truly non-partisan committee to investigate this fiasco, then perhaps Satan will truly be skating to work.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 11:22 AM on September 13, 2005

Bah. I also say, he isn't taking responsibility for a damn thing. To hell with this "to the extent that..." crap. It's easy to take responsibility "to a certain extent" when you believe that extent is NONE, or very little. Nothing pisses me off more than a fake apology.
posted by Shoeburyness at 11:23 AM on September 13, 2005

"Now, don't misunderstandimate me - I'm saying I'm responsible... for finding out who's responsible..

"To the extent that the federal government is involved...

"If at all.

"There are people out there that want to play the blame game - and I'm telling them that I'm responsible, as president, for placing that blame where it belongs.

"If anywhere.
posted by Perigee at 11:23 AM on September 13, 2005

Can't you see it?

Look here: LINK

This is a quick transistion on how a natural disaster = terrorism. Look how many times terrorism is mentioned in this article.

I'm sure his acceptance of responsibility will come with a call for much more money to enforce a new FEMA (with a patriot act to follow).

If you ask me, its a brilliant political move on his part. Its just another feather in his cap to ask for whatever he wants to "FIX" the problem. Am I totally off base here?
posted by Decypher at 11:25 AM on September 13, 2005

almostcool writes "it's like the perfect political brushstroke for him."


Yeah, but, Rove must be really desperate to go for this dodge.

Still, just...Wow! I never imagined W taking responsibility (however faux) for anything.
posted by taosbat at 11:25 AM on September 13, 2005

Spend some time thinking about, and it is perfect posturing. "Yes, I am responsible" (up to a point.) I will bet within a few weeks, big huge problems will be found that will make the humble pie eating taking place disappear into the background. He will come across as Presidential (buck stops here and all that.)

The question, is will anyone notice if the poorly qualified staffers still in lead positions at FEMA will be replaced. I will bet not - he just took a bow, and the machinery is being cranked up to make sure the spotlight is shed some place else.

Just have to wait to see how it's done (assuming it's true and/or plausible.)
posted by fluffycreature at 11:26 AM on September 13, 2005

The internal polls must be really scaring the shit out of Prezident Cheney for them to hang Chimperor out to dry. Has he ever said the words "I take responsibility" before in his life? It must have been like passing a stone for the boy.

Now let's see what this means. He could redeem himself, with me at least . . . by resigning.

And for your listening pleasure, George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People." (mp3 link)
posted by realcountrymusic at 11:27 AM on September 13, 2005

Does this mean we can officially start playing the blame game now?
posted by jscalzi at 11:28 AM on September 13, 2005

Call me when there are actual repercussions. He's expendable (as he's not up for reelection in 2006 or 2008), unlike his Republican colleagues.

When he's up for impeachment, then I'll be interested. Until then, it's just words. He's responsible for the untimely and unnecessary death of hundreds or thousands of American citizens, at a time where he and his cronies could've demonstrated true leadership. Seems worse than lying about a blowjob to me, but then again, I'm just some guy.
posted by FormlessOne at 11:36 AM on September 13, 2005

You call that an apology? This is an apology:

Your government failed you, those entrusted with protecting you failed you, and I failed you.

posted by kirkaracha at 11:36 AM on September 13, 2005

I'd bet $5 that they are going to spin most of the blame toward Michael Brown, the now Ex-Head of FEMA. Not to say that he didn't screw up a lot of things, but probably more will be blamed on him than he rightly deserves.

As far as the failures of the state and local authorities; Yep, they should have worked harder to get people out. The locals seemed to have placed a bet that the levies wouldn't fail, or if they did, help would arrive quickly, a bet they obviously lost. They tried to predict the future, and didn't get it quite right.

However, the day after the storm, and everyone knows the water is rising, the game doesn't become about predicting the future, it's about what is happening right now and how to react. Failures to respond to an existing, known, real problem I think are much bigger failures than ones relating to not being prepared for what may happen in the future.
posted by darkness at 11:36 AM on September 13, 2005

Oops. link
posted by kirkaracha at 11:37 AM on September 13, 2005

b_thinky: Newsflash Government, at all levels, is terribly inefficient and basically sucky. Why anyone expects FEMA to provide better service than the DMV, the USPS or the IRS is beyond me.

When I renew my auto registration by mail, the tags show up on time, allowing me to continue to drive over public roads. When I go to the public library, they're stocked with IRS tax forms and instructions. When I've had tax questions, the IRS responded promptly to my e-mails.

Yes, everyone has a story or two about the time some government-office drone made our lives difficult. But most of the time, government services work out about a hundred times better than they did for Katrina. Katrina was news not because it confirmed ideas of universal governmental incompotence, but because it was such a shocking contrast to the norm.
posted by Western Infidels at 11:38 AM on September 13, 2005

What with all the conspiracy theorizing here, did it occur to anyone that maybe he realizes this was all an incredible cockup, and he's trying to do whatever he can (granted, AFTER the fact) to make it right?

He comes forward to directly say that he accepts responsibility for the failure of the federal government's response, and that somehow isn't good enough? Would anything be? I'm afraid the society where politicians either get jailed for life or hang themselves when they screw up exists only in your fantasies.
posted by Nahum Tate at 11:38 AM on September 13, 2005

I actually agree, completly, with John Kerry.

"The President has done the obvious, only after it was clear he couldn’t get away with the inexcusable."

I guess mommy daddy made him apologize.
posted by eriko at 11:40 AM on September 13, 2005

It doesn't mean anything. It's just an empty phrase.

Actually, I've used this ploy at a former job: told the network guy to do this or that, and when he weasled around because it might get him into trouble, told him grandly: If anyone asks, I will take full responsibility.

Of course, nobody ever asked, although if someone did, I was totally prepared to defend myself: Well yes, I took responsibility, but it was still the network guy who screwed up, you know.

So, even though it sounds good, it doesn't mean anything.

Now, if he'd actually apologized, that would mean that they are taking the situation serious...
posted by sour cream at 11:44 AM on September 13, 2005

I'd say most of it, which is probably where it belongs.

The city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana do not have the resources to deal with a disaster of this magnitude. Why you continue to assume that a broke-ass city can take care of all its needs in such a situation is beyond me. Besides, it's what FEMA is explicitly for.

Newsflash Government, at all levels, is terribly inefficient and basically sucky. Why anyone expects FEMA to provide better service than the DMV, the USPS or the IRS is beyond me.
posted by b_thinky at 11:19 AM PST on September 13

Newsflash: FEMA was a pretty good, efficient, and quick organization when J.L. Witt and the ever-hated Clinton were in charge. But when you hire a bunch of asshole, do-nothing campaign flunkies to run a federal bureaucarcy, then yeah, they won't be very good at it.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 11:44 AM on September 13, 2005

I'd be more impressed if he took responsibility and admitted some amount of shortcomings in iraq. What's more troubling is that he seems to put on this air that it's going as perfectly as ever, when it's clearly not so, even to the war's supporters.
posted by angry modem at 11:44 AM on September 13, 2005

And it shows that he's at least now paying some attention to what's going on.

It's all political calculus. The only reason Bush is taking responsibility¹ is because the heat has become too great. He tried to use Brownie as a heat sink, but the press didn't bite. Bush doesn't speak publicly often, and only does so when he's a) forced to, because of some scandal or poor polling numbers, or b) when he's trying to mount a public relations campaigning for impending legislation.

I think he's counting on the Roberts conformation to distract media attention away from Katrina. That, combined with his seemingly "sincere" ownership of responsibility (which, after Thursday night, will make the rounds on the :30 second headlines and talking head shows) will be enough to convince those who don't follow politics (ie, most people) that he's doing a good job, or "getting to the bottom of this" or some such nonsense.

I think the press conference will consist of quickly taking some nebulous responsibility for disaster, and then 15 minutes of "looking forward" and blaming state and local governments.

¹And he's not taking responsibility for his part in the Katrina fuck-up, but rather taking the blame for the "federal government" agencies that fucked up. It's a big distinction, and allows Bush to seem as if had no part.
posted by SweetJesus at 11:45 AM on September 13, 2005

You rabid Bush-haters need to give some credit. Bush has made a few right moves in past 10 days:

1. Bush actually fired a crony. (although technically Brown "resigned", yeah right)

2. Bush has devoted a lot of personal attention to the NOLA area on location.

3. Today Bush at least admits fault and responsibility as a leader should.

We're stuck with Bush at the helm for the next 3 years so hopefully his learning something from this.
posted by StarForce5 at 11:45 AM on September 13, 2005

I'll believe he's taking responsibility when he wears orange.

realcountrymusic: where'd that mp3 come from?
posted by Vetinari at 11:46 AM on September 13, 2005

SweetJesus writes "¹And he's not taking responsibility for his part in the Katrina fuck-up, but rather taking the blame for the 'federal government' agencies that fucked up. It's a big distinction, and allows Bush to seem as if had no part. "


There are a number of steps Bush could have taken, short of a full-scale federal takeover, like ordering the military to take over the pitiful and (by now) largely broken emergency communications system throughout the region. But the president, who was in San Diego preparing to give a speech the next day on the war in Iraq, went to bed.
posted by taosbat at 11:49 AM on September 13, 2005

realcountrymusic: where'd that mp3 come from?

Here's all I know:

http://www.fwmj.com/plex/?p=35
posted by realcountrymusic at 11:49 AM on September 13, 2005

You rabid Bush-haters need to give some credit. Bush has made a few right moves in past 10 days

If I burned my office down because I was smoking a doobie in the restroom, then showed up two weeks later with a damp washcloth and a shit-eating grin, I'd still be fired.

Can't we just pay out the rest of his contract and get someone new?
posted by Optimus Chyme at 11:51 AM on September 13, 2005

I fully expect Bush to acknowledge and take responsibility for his staged photo-op assistance efforts which were dismantled and removed the minute the cameras stopped rolling. I fully expect him to acknowledge that he and his entire senior administration were still goofing off three days into the disaster. I expect him to pipe right up and admit that under his administration the senior post at FEMA was a cozy sinecure for a hopelessly unqualified crony who worked on his campaign.

Yeah, it's great news that he's taking responsiblity. I'm confident he'll get to the bottom of all this.
posted by George_Spiggott at 11:51 AM on September 13, 2005

did it occur to anyone that maybe he realizes this was all an incredible cockup, and he's trying to do whatever he can (granted, AFTER the fact) to make it right?

Right, because this is really the first major screw-up of his administration. It's all poll driven. Bet on it. What a pathetic "leader" he has been. I still remember the debate where he was asked if he had ever made any mistakes he regretted as president and declined to answer. Lord it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way.
posted by realcountrymusic at 11:53 AM on September 13, 2005

1. Bush actually fired a crony. (although technically Brown "resigned", yeah right)

Only after it became politically silly to keep him around. Why should I give him credit for firing an unqualified hack that he appointed in the first place? What the fuck, is the logic factory in your head not working?

2. Bush has devoted a lot of personal attention to the NOLA area on location.

Jesus Christ, what the fuck does that mean? Is he out sand-bagging a ditch? Dead body patrol? Oh, you mean walking around a disaster area with firemen, in front of an AP camera. Here here.

3. Today Bush at least admits fault and responsibility as a leader should.

See my post above...

realcountrymusic: where'd that mp3 come from?
More here
posted by SweetJesus at 11:53 AM on September 13, 2005

Vetinari - here
posted by atom128 at 11:54 AM on September 13, 2005

b_thinky: YOU make the government that way. Good job.

As for Bush.

Monday, 29 Aug. 2005, 07:33 AM: Gov. Blanco says that New Orleans' levees have been breached.

Monday, 29 Aug. 2005, 08:14 AM: National Weather Service issues a flood warning, noting levee breaches in New Orleans, at least 3 to 8 feet expected in initial reports.

Thursday, 1 Sep. 2005: Bush says levee breach unexpected.

Sunday, 4 Sep. 2005: Chertoff says no one knew levees were breached until late Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Bush and Chertoff have said they eased up in their response to the NOLA situation because reports were that NOLA hand "dodged a bullet" with this hurricane, and there was no terrible disaster. And yet, breached levees were known about from the VERY BEGINNING in this city in a bowl.

So, Bush, do you take responsibility for this MONUMENTAL and PERSONAL fuck up of yours?

Do you take responsibility for the delayed response because of your own ineptitude and uncaring attitude?

That's the fucking idiot you are carrying water for, b_thinky.

(Sorry for the shouting, I'm really mad at this guy Bush).
posted by teece at 11:58 AM on September 13, 2005

Newsflash Government, at all levels, is terribly inefficient and basically sucky. Why anyone expects FEMA to provide better service than the DMV, the USPS or the IRS is beyond me.

Actually, FEMA's performance is an example of what happens when people with your attitude are put in charge of government. If you think government is worthless anyway, then why wouldn't you put your incompetent pals into positions like head of FEMA?
posted by Happy Monkey at 11:59 AM on September 13, 2005

pod people have infiltrated the highest levels of our government!!!
posted by mcsweetie at 12:01 PM on September 13, 2005

Hell must have frozen over.
posted by wsg at 12:02 PM on September 13, 2005

StarForce5, if you keep drinking that Kool-Aid, you're gonna wet the bed.
posted by NationalKato at 12:03 PM on September 13, 2005

StarForce5: You rabid Bush-haters need to give some credit.

I know that I ran up $250,000 in fraudulent charges on my wife's health insurance. I realize that you've heard about the $500,000 I jilted those mortgage companies out of. But I believe you should give me this car loan anyway. Why? Because this morning when I failed to prevent that poor man from jumping off a bridge, I stuck around afterwards to help clean up the mess. Give me some credit.

Monetary credit doesn't grow back over night. Neither does reputation. Bush has been savagely trashing his own reputation for five years - how much "credit" should anyone give him after one day of reform? Rather than begging for some credit for Bush, why not let Bush earn some credit, by doing the right thing (instead of the politically-expedient thing, the further-enrich-my-rich-buddies thing, or the kill-the-brown-people thing) at every opportunity for a while?
posted by Western Infidels at 12:09 PM on September 13, 2005

It's damage control for his party, who worry about the electioneering they need to do next year. And if democrats bring this shit up in commercials for '06, all repubs have to do is put pictures of recovery in N.O. to the soaring soundtrack of the national anthem, and we're back to where we began.
posted by Diamornte at 12:10 PM on September 13, 2005

"The superior man blames himself. The inferior man blames others."

- Don Shula
posted by caddis at 12:11 PM on September 13, 2005

The jackass man blames himself only after he failed trying to blame others.
posted by jefbla at 12:22 PM on September 13, 2005

I agree with so many of you on so many levels. This prick has the balls to qualify his apology???? Listen you giant ass, To the extent that your grave incompetence and rampant cronyism has caused the suffering and/or death of hundreds of thousands, and To the extent that your comments about your drinking days in New Orleans were made so callously as bodies floated through the streets of the city and fireman flanked your sorry ass in an unconscionable photo-op while they could have been saving people's lives, and To the extent we were unable to respond to this horrible disaster because your committed thousands of National Guard troops to a failed cowboy revenge War in Iraq that is an abject miserable failure which has also cost thousands of lives and hundeds of billions of dollars, and To the extent that your freaking sick maniacal mother flippantly quipped that "these people" were better off after Katrina, I think you should be publicly tortured and executed on the Mall in Washington along with your entire cabinet for crimes against humanity.
posted by MetaJohn at 12:25 PM on September 13, 2005

Newsflash Government, at all levels, is terribly inefficient and basically sucky. Why anyone expects FEMA to provide better service than the DMV, the USPS or the IRS is beyond me. It's not a coincidence the Red Cross is running circles around local, state and federal government on this one.
posted by b_thinky at 11:19 AM PST on September 13

Agree with most of this statement, but why does everyone bash the USPS? I think they do a pretty good job. I've never had a letter not get through, three days is about the average delivery time - not bad for less then .37 cents and I find most mailman to be friendly folks and except for the NYC post offices most post offices I've been to seem to operate somewhat efficiently.
posted by hpsell at 12:36 PM on September 13, 2005

newsflash Government, at all levels, is terribly inefficient and basically sucky

...and yet, so much more efficient and so much more accountable, so much more stable over the long term, so much more values-driven, so much more necessary, and so much less sucky than any form of private industry.
posted by Miko at 12:43 PM on September 13, 2005

While I agree with StarForce5 on the point that that some things have been done well (drained of the 'Bush-hater' nonsense), I also have to agree with taosbat (et. al) that much of it has been too little too late.

It's very nice to hear those words.
Whether this portends actual change or is a statement along the lines of OJ vowing to find the killers remains to be seen.
(and I concede the track record so far, but hope springs eternal, without the hope that things will get better I doubt anyone would get angry)
posted by Smedleyman at 12:44 PM on September 13, 2005

loquacious writes of "the 9th level of Hell" being frozen over. Of course, in Dante's Inferno, the Ninth Circle of Hell is frozen over.
posted by grouse at 12:46 PM on September 13, 2005

Amen, MetaJohn.
posted by ook at 12:47 PM on September 13, 2005

Wow. I thought 9/11 was Holy Fucking Shit Day.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:51 PM on September 13, 2005

Words you will never hear:

"I was dead wrong. I screwed it up. Please forgive me." - GW Bush
Denial is more than a river in Egypt.
posted by nofundy at 12:52 PM on September 13, 2005

End of the Bush Era

"The Bush Era is over. The sooner politicians in both parties realize that, the better for them -- and the country.

Recent months, and especially the past two weeks, have brought home to a steadily growing majority of Americans the truth that President Bush's government doesn't work. His policies are failing, his approach to leadership is detached and self-indulgent, his way of politics has produced a divided, angry and dysfunctional public square. We dare not go on like this." [Washington Post | September 13, 2005]

posted by ericb at 12:53 PM on September 13, 2005

There's a rumor on the always-trustworthy Free Republic that Bush will be resigning.
posted by afx114 at 1:00 PM on September 13, 2005

posted by ericb at 1:05 PM on September 13, 2005

taosbat, that was simply the best analysis/backstory I have read about this whole thing. Thanks for pointing it out.
posted by karmaville at 1:05 PM on September 13, 2005

There's a rumor on the always-trustworthy Free Republic that Bush will be resigning.

Sorry, I couldn't make all of that out. I am outside right now, and these damn flying pigs are leaving droppings that hit my monitor.
posted by beelzbubba at 1:14 PM on September 13, 2005

hmm afx114 .... according to your rumor, sounds like Chenney fired Bush.
posted by R. Mutt at 1:14 PM on September 13, 2005

Federal response to Katrina Fastest of all Hurricaines Ever
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 1:53 PM on September 13, 2005

I liked it better as "Cinnamon Cookies Baked During Bush Administration Tastiest Ever"
posted by caddis at 2:01 PM on September 13, 2005

I'm sorry.










Sorry you're a jerk!
posted by Snyder at 2:03 PM on September 13, 2005

Newsflash Government, at all levels, is terribly inefficient and basically sucky. Why anyone expects FEMA to provide better service than the DMV, the USPS or the IRS is beyond me.
posted by b_thinky at 11:19 AM PST on September 13

Actually, every time I go to the DMV, I'm in and out with an updated license in ~ 20 minutes. Mail can get from any place in the continental US to any other location in a matter of a day or three, and filing taxes is about as easy as it's ever been. YMMV, but comparing occasional trifling and largely inconsequential bureacratic goofs with NOT GETTING ANYTHING IN PLACE FOR A FUCKING WEEK AFTER THE LARGEST AND EASIEST TO PREDICT NATURAL FUCKING ACT OF ANGRY ASS GOD DISASTER IN AMERI-FUCKING HISTORY, is a bit of a stretch. sorry.
posted by stenseng at 2:11 PM on September 13, 2005

If he was *really* taking responsibility, he would have fired Brown in public.
posted by aieou at 2:12 PM on September 13, 2005

"Federal response to Katrina Fastest of all Hurricaines Ever"

StrasbourgSecaucus - sorry, we didn't buy that turd when it was fresh and ParisParamus was trying to tell us it was a crab cake. Not likely to bite now, three days later as the flies gather.
posted by stenseng at 2:13 PM on September 13, 2005

"...do it's job..." I know it's an editorial error, and not an example of Dubyaspeak, but it still doesn't surprise me.
posted by emelenjr at 2:13 PM on September 13, 2005

stenseng, because . . .

StrasbourgSecaucus = ParisParamus = digaman
posted by kingfisher, his musclebound cat at 2:33 PM on September 13, 2005

what realcountrymusic said.

also if i haven't said it before, "realcountrymusic" is a great name :)
posted by nola at 2:33 PM on September 13, 2005

StrasbourgSecaucus = ParisParamus = digaman = MATHOWIE!!!


the legend is true!?!?!?
posted by stenseng at 2:34 PM on September 13, 2005

Breaking News - "Negligent homicide charges filed in nusing home deaths during Katrina" [MSNBC] -- no online link, yet.

Iwonder what kind of charges -- if any -- and against whom will be made over the next few months?
posted by ericb at 3:00 PM on September 13, 2005

La. nursing home owners charged in deaths

"The owners of a nursing home where 34 people were found dead after Hurricane Katrina have been arrested and charged with 34 counts of negligent homicide for not evacuating their patients, the Louisiana attorney general's office said Tuesday.

Mable Mangano and Salvador Mangano Sr. declined an offer from authorities of buses to evacuate the residents of their facility, the state said.

The owners of St. Rita's Nursing Home in St. Bernard Parish 'were asked if they wanted to move (the patients). They did not. They were warned repeatedly that this storm was coming. In effect, their inaction resulted in the deaths of these patients,' Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti said." [MSNBC | September 13, 2005]

posted by ericb at 3:18 PM on September 13, 2005

*I wonder what other kind of charges regarding other situations*
posted by ericb at 3:19 PM on September 13, 2005

If he was *really* taking responsibility, he would have fired Brown in public.
posted by aieou at 2:12 PM PST on September 13 [!]


Good point.

Actually stenseng, ParisParamus = Frank Burns
posted by Smedleyman at 3:20 PM on September 13, 2005

/I mean really - ineffectual/stupid right wing crank hypocrite in an anti-war environment. C'mon.
posted by Smedleyman at 3:21 PM on September 13, 2005

They were warned repeatedly that this storm was coming. In effect, their inaction resulted in the deaths of these patients

Inaction which results in death? Let the line form...
posted by R. Mutt at 3:22 PM on September 13, 2005

eriko wrote:

I actually agree, completly, with John Kerry.
"The President has done the obvious, only after it was clear he couldn’t get away with the inexcusable."


Just thought it bore repeating. More meaningless sounds well after the damage has been done, kind of like the"I'm a uniter, not a divider" comment.
posted by maryh at 3:28 PM on September 13, 2005

Happy Monkey: If you think government is worthless anyway, then why wouldn't you put your incompetent pals into positions like head of FEMA?

Damned skippy. Lets take that one step further: If your chief priority is political power and unquestioned loyalty from underlings [in order that you can control public perception (I.e., "make reality"), cement an ideology of Neoconservatisim and continue sacrificing American soldiers in a senseless war to make your friends rich]. then obviously this sort of disastrous incompetence is what you eventually must reap. I'm thankful the scales are falling from peoples eyes and they're beginning to see what some of us have been saying for years. Phew. It's a shame such a horrible occurrence turned out to be the catalyst for that.

There's a strange karmic quality to all this. cataclysms make Kings and they undo them as well.

It's weird to be in the middle of so much history, I'll tell you what...
posted by Skygazer at 3:29 PM on September 13, 2005

also if i haven't said it before, "realcountrymusic" is a great name :)

thanks Nola . . . (New Orleans, Louisiana?). Not very complicated. I'm just a really big Merle Haggard fan.
posted by realcountrymusic at 3:46 PM on September 13, 2005

If he was really a man of conscious, and he saw that the buck really does stops in the White House - that it was his decision to gut FEMA and stop mitigation work - he would resign as a minimal gesture toward earning any kind of absolution. But, them tar beltway chaps aren't really that deep, are they?
posted by johnj at 3:50 PM on September 13, 2005

Skygazer, amen to that. I keep asking myself if things were this insane when I was too young to notice or care. I can't believe they were this "out there" though.
posted by fenriq at 3:57 PM on September 13, 2005

Buried somewhere in this archive of "This Modern World" comics is something pretty close to today's apology. One of my favorite 'bush-talking-head' quotes:

"I accept full responsibility, but not any blame or negative consequences."
posted by anthill at 3:59 PM on September 13, 2005

Denial is more than a river in Egypt.

Actually, I believe that the name of that river is THE Nial.
posted by ackeber at 3:59 PM on September 13, 2005

Actually, I believe that the name of that river is THE Nial.

Oh, the delicious irony.
posted by Miko at 4:03 PM on September 13, 2005

I honestly did not expect this. I don't remember when the administration has ever owned up to anything without putting a spin on it or shuffling blame. Of course, this statement still leaves plenty of blame to be heaped on the state and local levels, deservedly or not. And I predict that Democrats will be too dumbfounded by the admission itself to capitalize politically whatsoever. But hey, it's a step in the right direction - public servants who are accountable to the public!
posted by blendor at 4:05 PM on September 13, 2005

I'm genuinely starting to think Bush might actually resign. I can't imagine he wants to be president anymore.
posted by cillit bang at 4:18 PM on September 13, 2005

Bush resigning? Get real. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't want to be president.
posted by SweetJesus at 4:20 PM on September 13, 2005

His poll numbers were in freefall and Karl Rove said, "Sorry Son, you are going to have to bite the bullet and stop the haemorrhaging."

The good news for Bush is that his supporters can point to this and say, "See, he is a good president. Even though none of that Katrina stuff was his fault-- you can't control Mother Nature-- he is stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility."

The bad news is...? He had to pretend to eat crow for 5 seconds?
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:23 PM on September 13, 2005

karmaville writes "Thanks for pointing it out."

You're welcome. I got it here:
posted by taosbat at 4:25 PM on September 13, 2005

Make that here.
posted by taosbat at 4:26 PM on September 13, 2005

To the extent that it is legal, I wish someone would shoot Bush, Cheney, Hastert, DeLay and the rest of these motherfuckers.

What? To the extent that it's legal!
posted by klangklangston at 4:31 PM on September 13, 2005

Smedleyman writes "Whether this portends actual change or is a statement along the lines of OJ vowing to find the killers remains to be seen.
"(and I concede the track record so far, but hope springs eternal, without the hope that things will get better I doubt anyone would get angry)"


Leopards don't change their spots, chickens gotta' cluck...

If you think a vicious dog that's bitten you before won't bite you this time, you'll get bit again.
posted by taosbat at 4:37 PM on September 13, 2005

Fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me - y'can't get fooled again.
posted by icosahedral at 4:52 PM on September 13, 2005

If he were to really take resonsibility, he would resign.
posted by Doohickie at 4:52 PM on September 13, 2005

stenseng writes "'Federal response to Katrina Fastest of all Hurricaines Ever'

"StrasbourgSecaucus - sorry, we didn't buy that turd when it was fresh...

Media Matters for America: Jack Kelly column littered with Katrina falsehoods

SS's link has rotted.
posted by taosbat at 4:57 PM on September 13, 2005

Responsibility = Resignation
posted by R. Mutt at 5:12 PM on September 13, 2005

thanks Nola . . . (New Orleans, Louisiana?). Not very complicated. I'm just a really big Merle Haggard fan.
posted by realcountrymusic at 3:46 PM PST on September 13 [!]

yes, New Orleans , Louisiana.

Merle Haggard kicks ass. ;)
posted by nola at 5:23 PM on September 13, 2005

Georgie, you're doing a heck of a job.
posted by amberglow at 5:54 PM on September 13, 2005

Tactical. They've realised even they can't spin and bullshit their way out of this one. Which is oddly disappointing.
posted by Decani at 6:40 PM on September 13, 2005

I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't want to be president.

I wouldn't. But then I am quite hard to imagine.
posted by Decani at 6:41 PM on September 13, 2005

I assume, then, that since responsibility has been taken, he'll be stepping down. That's what happens when you take responsibility for a huge fuckup that happens under your watch. I'm no fan of having a Cheney white house, and I don't think it will change much in terms of priorities or trust, but claiming responsibility means you no longer have that position of power.

Unless this is another example of 'All hat, and no cattle".
posted by Balisong at 6:57 PM on September 13, 2005

The Sunday before the storm hit, I couldn't get to sleep after reading the predictions of catastrophe. But this all-time tool was so incompetent, disconnected and ill-informed he didn't even "realize" how bad it was until five days later.

And yet now a few people here are actually impressed at this blatantly crafted PR statement formulated to look like it means something - when it doesn't say or accomplish spit?

Wake me up when there's something truly striking - like Bush admitting Fla. and the Supremes made a grave mistake in 2000. Or when he says that half the country had its head up its arse voting for him in 04.

And don't set my heart aflutter with this teasing talk of him resigning. [/ongoing internet rant]
posted by NorthernLite at 7:02 PM on September 13, 2005

BREAKING: Bush To Take Control Of Executive Branch
posted by amberglow at 7:27 PM on September 13, 2005

Double post.
posted by swift at 7:41 PM on September 13, 2005

Officer, I'm sorry I got caught speeding. I promise not to get caught speeding again.
posted by Rothko at 8:14 PM on September 13, 2005

um, people, hell has NOT frozen over. it's a classic NON-apology 'apology'.
posted by TrinityB5 at 10:11 PM on September 13, 2005

Oh come on.

Our PM did that with our sub debacle. He's responsible. Which means no one is, and of course at his level, his responsibility is largely symbolic, so no one can really hold it against him.

I'm just impressed that Bush has held this in reserve for so long after having so many damn things to wrong that he's responsible for.
posted by dreamsign at 10:53 PM on September 13, 2005

Really, should a president saying he's sorry for the mistakes of his subordinants be such a big deal?

I mean mistakes happen all the time. And I'm sure this president has appolo... what... never?...in five years of fuckups by... how many?...nearly 2000?... and the others?...nearly 25,000?!...but it was justified, right?.... I, I just don't know what to say... But why did he appologise now?...Poll numbers?....nothing to loose?... "will try anything at least once"?... Well then.

Tack him to a wall.
posted by Balisong at 11:24 PM on September 13, 2005

I thought that was a good thing for Bush to have done.
posted by Marquis at 5:21 AM on September 14, 2005

... The president should stop haunting New Orleans, looking for that bullhorn moment. It's too late.
posted by amberglow at 5:23 AM on September 14, 2005

Can someone point me to an article about the bullhorn moment? All I remember from that time is the "axis of evil" flailings.
posted by cillit bang at 6:20 AM on September 14, 2005

He stood on top of the rubble at ground zero, with a fireman, on Sept. 14, 01.
posted by amberglow at 6:23 AM on September 14, 2005

Power crews diverted
Restoring pipeline came first

(I bet those people in the hospitals on machines appreciated that one)
posted by amberglow at 6:39 AM on September 14, 2005

Chertoff Delayed Federal Response, Memo Shows: The federal official with the power to mobilize a massive federal response to Hurricane Katrina was Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, not the former FEMA chief who was relieved of his duties and resigned earlier this week, federal documents reviewed by Knight Ridder show.
posted by muckster at 9:55 AM on September 14, 2005

~~~
White House press release: President Bush Salutes Heroes in New York
~~~
White House .ram file
posted by taosbat at 10:24 AM on September 14, 2005

Utah welcomes refugees, but only if they don't plan to make it permanent. Well, at least according to Shmuley.
posted by greatgefilte at 5:11 PM on September 14, 2005